Friction draft rigging



July l1, 1933.

Filed July l5, 1929 G. W. WlLDlN FRICTION DRAFT RIGGING 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GEORGE W. WILDIN ATTORNEY July 11, 1933. G. w. WILDIN FRICTION DRAFT RIGGING 2 Sheets-Sheety 2 [Sigh INVENTOR GEORGE W. WILDIN WMM ATTORNEY Filed July l5, 1929 Patented July 11, 1933 rar-sar arriba XIV. VLDIN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANA, ASSIGNOR, BY VIESNE. ASSIGN- ISEENTS, TG CARD-WELL T/'ESTNGEOSE COT/IPANY, O3? CHIGAGO,`LJI1\TOIS, A COR- PCRATION DF DELAY-.TARE

FRICTON DRAFT RIGGENG Application filed July 123,

This invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbing mechanisms of the type especially adapted for use in draft rigfs for railwav rolling stoel; and more i iv to type comprising' a casing having its forward end portion divided into two compartments by an integral strut, each of which compartments is adapted to receive a group of friction elements comprising alternated relatively iixed and movable friction plates and wedging means for impressing i pressure on said plates.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a friction shock absorbing' mechanism of the above type having the forward end portion of the casing, on each side of the integral strut, so constructed as to facilitate the easy insertion and removal of the relatively lined friction plates to and from their Xed positions with respect to the casing.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following more detailed description of my invention.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is horizontal longitudinal sectional view of a railway draft rigging embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of my improved shock absorbing mechanism; Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the casing with the wedging mechanism removed and two of the relatively fined friction plates Yapplied to the casing, the manner of inserting or removing the plates being illustrated by dot and dash lilies; Fig. et is a longitudinal sectional view through the casing on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; F ig. 5 is an end elevational view of a modified form of the casing and Fig. 6 is a like View of a further modified form of the casing, the manner of inserting and removing the friction plates being illustrated by dot and dash lines in both of these last mentioned figures.

ln the drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the usual spaced center or draft sills of a railway car underframe, to which are secured the usual front stop lugs 2 and rear stop lugs 3.

The reference character 4; indicates the inner end of a drawbar, to which the usual draft yoke 5 is operatively connected.

1329. Serial No. 377,994.

Disposed within the yoke 5, is my improved friction shock absorbing mechanism and a front follower plate 6, all of which Iire supported by the usual carrier plate 7, detachably secured to the sills 1, in such a manner, that the follower plate engages the front stop lugs 2 and the rear ond portion of the shock absorbing` mechanism engages the rear stop lugs 3.

My improved shock absorbing mechanism may comprise a hollow rectangular casing having side walls 8 and top and bottom walls 9 and a. rear end wall 10, said end wall being se ured to the casing by rivets or any other desired means.

rEhe forward end portion of the casing is divided laterally into two compartments by a web or strut 11 which extends longitudinally of the casing for some distance rearwardly of the forward end thereof, and integrally connects the top and bottom walls 9 throughout its length.

Contained in each compartment is a group of friction elements, comprising longitudinally disposed cooperating front and rear wedge blocks 12 and 13 respectively, and a wedge shoe 14 cooperating with said wedge blocks to impress lateral pressure on alternated relatively fixed and movable friction plates 15 and 16 respectively. i

The plates 15, adjacent their rear ends, are widened, forming top and bottom lugs 17 which are adapted to be received in grooves formed in the top and bottom walls 9 of the casing, at each side of the strut 11, by spaced front and rear stop lugs 18 and 19 respectively, formed on these walls, interiorly of the casino'. When the plates 15 are mounted in the casing the lugs 17 cooperate with the lugs 18 and 19 to hold the plates against longitudinal movement relative to the casing.

The friction plates 16 are movable longitudinally relative to the plates 15.

Also contained in the casing, are springs 20, 21 and 22, the pressure of the springs 20 acting on the movable plates 16 wedge blocks 12 and 13 and wedge shoes 14, through the medium of a spring plate 23, and the pressure of the springs 21 and 22 acting on the wedge block 12 through the medium of a follower member 241 which extends through an opening in the spring plate 23 into engagement with the inner ends of the wedge blocks.

In assembling my improved friction shock absorbing mechanism the spring plate 23, follower member 24; and springs 20, 21 and 22 are inserted in the casing through the open rear end thereof, in the order named, after which, the rear end wall is secured in place. Now the springs are temporarily compressed by pressure applied to the spring plate 8, and may be maintained so compressed by temporary holding pins which may be inserted through openings 25, formed in the casing into engagement with the spring plate 23. Wvith the springs thus compressed the stationary plates 15 are inserted through the open forward end f the casing, after which, the edging mechanisms are inserted through the open forward end of the casing. After the wedging mechanisms have been mounted in the casing, the movable plates 1G are inserted.

Finally, the temporary holding pins are removed` from the casing, permitting the pressures of the springs 20,21 and Q2 to cause the groups of friction elements to assume their normal release positions as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

According to my invention, the front stop lugs 18 on the top and bottom walls of the casing are provided with notches QG, the open ends of which are directed toward each other to provide a space of sufficient width to permit the lugs 17 on the plates 15 to clear the lugs 18 as the plates are being inserted in the casing through the open forward end thereof.

These notches 2G may be formed in the stop lugs 18 at diagonally opposite. corners of each compartment as shown in Figs. 2 and S, or intermediate the strut 11 and each side wall 8 of the casing as shown in Fig. 5, or adjacent the strut 11 as shown in (3.

In each of the Figs. 3, 5 and 6 one plate 15 is illustrated positioned in each compartment and by dot and dash lines the manner of inserting the plate is illustrated.

It will be noted that the notches 26 are so located that when the friction elements are all assembled with the casing, none of the plates 15 will register with the notches but will be in positions to engage the front stop lugs 18 so that the plates cannot become accidentally disconnected from the casing. 'lhis is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 in which the lugs 1T are shown engaging the front lugs 18 at one side of the notches. ln the other forms of my invention shown in Figs. 5 and G substantially the same condition prevails and the plates are therefore maintained against accidental longitudinal movement relative to the casing.

From the foregoing description it will be vseen that l have` provided a friction shock absorbing mechanism casing having its forward 'end portion divided into two compartments by an inteo'ral strut and in which stationary plates of maximum width may be inserted on each side of trie integral strut 11 from the forward end of the casing.

lVhile several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it not my intension to limit its scope to these embr-diments or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claim.

Her-sing now described my invention, what l claim as ne vv and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

fr draft gear comprising a easing open at one end and having an integral vertical central longitudinal partition and instanding stop lugs adjacent to its open end, wedge means and friction plates at each side of the partition, spring means cooperating with the wedge means and plates, certain of the plates having lateral lugs engageable with the casing lugs, each of the casing lugs having a transverse slot therethrough for the passage of the plate lugs on assembly, such slots being oblique to the axis of the gear and located, respectively, adjacent to the side wall of the casing and to the partition.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand, this 10th day of July, 1929.

GEORGE WV. VILDIN. 

